Highway 50 resurfacing project to begin

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) begins upgrading U.S. 50 from east of La Junta to just west of the Otero/Bent county line on Monday, April 1.

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By La Junta Tribune-Democrat

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By La Junta Tribune-Democrat

Posted Mar. 28, 2013 at 3:00 PM

By La Junta Tribune-Democrat

Posted Mar. 28, 2013 at 3:00 PM

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) begins upgrading U.S. 50 from east of La Junta to just west of the Otero/Bent county line on Monday, April 1.

Work consists of rotomilling the old surface and replacing it with four inches of asphalt pavement along a six-mile segment (mile 381-387.2). A variety of improvements also will be made to several bridges through this area, along with the installation of new road signs.

Safety also will be enhanced with the construction of a 900-foot turn lane from westbound U.S 50 to southbound County Road 31.

Project hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. In the project area where Highway 50 is four lanes, traffic will be reduced to a single lane and continue unimpeded. However, at the east end of the project, the highway is two lanes and will require flaggers to alternate eastbound and westbound traffic through the work zone, requiring stops up to 15 minutes.

The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours; 55 mph at all other times. Vehicles wider than 12 feet will not be allowed to travel through the work zone when construction is taking place.

“This project will give the traveling public a smoother road surface that’ll last at least 10 years,” said CDOT Resident Engineer Paul Westhoff. “In addition, the bridge work we’re conducting will extend the life of those structures for several years. Safety also is being enhanced by placing new signs, since they improve visibility along the highway, especially at night.”

The $4.3 million project, contracted to Martin Marietta Materials of Westminster, Colo., is scheduled for completion in June 2013.

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